A news series featuring art selected by me. There will be a wide range of themes and genres covered. In addition, there will be periodic interviews and artist spotlights.

If you like this article, please add it to your favorites to help spread the love for the art and artists within.

Original Characters

The concept of "original characters" may be a bit foreign to writers, as when you create a piece of literature, in most cases, everyone in the story is an original character. However, with advent of role-playing (in its many various forms), non-writers and writers alike found themselves created characters to use in games and otherwise. Sometimes the characters represent themselves, other times not. The main thing that remains the same is that they are loved and cherished by their creator. And who doesn't love showing off their creations. A while ago, I ran a poll asking my watchers and visitors to share some of their OCs with me. The range of characters was amazing and I'm happy to feature a good number of them below. To see the original poll, click here ---> mirz123.deviantart.com/journal…

Spotlight Interview

In this series, I hope to introduce the community to some artists who have been around dA for a while, but are still relativity unknown. The interviews are meant to be short and sweet. I encourage you to check out the artist's full gallery and add them to your devWatch.

Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself and your dA life?

Hi! I'm Ellen, I'm 17-years old (though I'm close to being 18, in December 12th! Haha. ) I am brazilian, and I've been a deviant since the beginning of 2009 (almost 4 years by now) and I have to say dA's changed my life in countless ways. Thanks to it I developed my art in ways I never imagined I ever would (which is now to me a freelance work, through commissions, my choice of university, and the knowledge I got from here also allowed me to get a job in an art store), I found the love of my life, my boyfriend namenotrequired, besides so many wonderful friends from all over the world! One day, I'll visit you all guys. You just wait.

What would you say your main artform is? Secondary?

My main art form is traditional manga (which is what I like working the most with, though I also do digital art but I always adapted a lot better with traditional media) and my secondary is whatever I feel like working with at the moment, besides manga. It can be realism, still life, design - I just like trying new things.

When did you start pursuing your art? What prompted you to?

After I joined dA. Before that I already did original art, but it was just once in a while - I needed motivation to keep going on and improving. I found that here.

What is your favorite piece in your gallery at the moment?

I'm not sure about whether it is or not the best piece I did so far, but definitely is my favourite. Specially because it looks exactly like what I had in mind. That's quite rare to happen.

Again, it depends on my mood. I do prefer original art most of the time, but sometimes I get tired of that and I want to do something else. I really love drawing and watching fanart, but I rarely do it for several reasons, including the fact I don't like having to stay faithful to the original design of the character, I want to create too much over it and sometimes I can't make them look like they are. Some people have a real talent to draw fanart in their own style and still make it beautifully original, but I seem to lack this ability but perhaps one day I will manage to do so. I absolutely love the expression of characters and scenes from series, movies, books, etc, being re-created according to the artist's own exclusive point of view, hence why I still insist on trying doing fanart myself.

Some other times, I'm drawn to realism and photography. I specially love captures of special moments in daily life - I also have a desire to one day make an art project of my own related to that, capturing faces of random people that attract me for some reason and painting them. It just seems to me a lot more interesting painting random people than celebrities for example, which is something so many people seem to do...

Just for fun question: What is your favorite movie?

Oh heck, that's a tough question I don't have a single favourite, but perhaps I could say 5 Centimeters Per Second it makes me cry everytime I watch it.

Time to spread the love. Who are 3 artists you feel could use more love? Tell us why you love them.

serafleur. I love her blooming style, and her art definitely deserves more love I haven't talked to her much yet, but I do watch her and she's always so kind

c85. I probably watch him ever since I joined dA, and I could never get over how incredible his pencil works are. I haven't yet found on dA an artist with a similar work, nor I think I will - his work is unique, the recurrent combination of brides, complex arquiteture, flowers and guns is gorgeous. I'm happy to have suggested both his DD's: D

TGA-Tsurugi. Another blooming artist I've been watching for years I follow his art almost since the beginning, and it was always impressive for me to see such talent at such young age. I can hardly believe he's as old as me, his work is astounding! I've always seem in him an artist with a wonderful future, hence why I totally recommend his work.

Final words?

Thank you so much for the opportunity, Mirz! And I hope you guys like it. I love you all.

Themed Feature

With the recent seniority annoucement made on deviantART, I thought a "seniors" feature was appropriate. I have to tell you, I do a lot of these features, but this was one of my favorites. I loved seeing these faces and imagining all the stories they have to tell. Just lovely.

:thumb336092065: :thumb347811227: :thumb345986959:

Spam

This section will be used to promote special events and such around dA that are close to my heart, as well as requested pimpage.

As mentioned above, the January 2013 Seniority Announcement was made today. Seniors are selected after nomination by members of dA for their outstanding contributions to the community, be it through articles, support, art, volunteering, or other efforts. Be sure to check out the list and go and congratulate the newest members of this select group. Also, a big shout-out to my own husband and assistant here at dA, Ravenswd for receiving his tick. fourteenthstar.deviantart.com/…

Someone once said there is a wiki for everything. Well, that is now true for deviantART. Eitvys200 has started a wiki dedicated to this site. It features deviants, groups, pages, projects etc. A great way to find out about the various aspects of dA in one place. Be sure to check it out, as well as visit Eitvys200 page for more helpful stuff! deviantart.wikia.com/wiki/Main…

There are a variety of contests going on in the emoticon community. Krissi001 has collected them in a recent journal. Be sure to take a gander and see if there is one that tickles your fancy! krissi001.deviantart.com/journ…

Ever want to know what is going on in the Lit Community? TONS! The best place to find out is "Love dA Lit". The weekly feature showcases everything and anything you need to know about the Lit community, as well as linking to groups and deviants you should be watching to stay in the literary loop. Check out the lastest edition and be sure to add IrrevocableFate to you devWatch. irrevocablefate.deviantart.com…

Credits

A nod to the following people and resources which make this article possible: Logo graphic by admx Section bullets courtesy of Fatcow Hosting CSS Skin by Drake1 Custom journal coding and layout by Ravenswd

Disclaimer: These features are done in the spirit of promoting the art of fellow deviants. Due to time restraints and the volume of art I feature, I cannot specifically ask permission of each artist before featuring. If I have showcased you or one of your pieces and you would prefer I not, please note me and I will be happy to remove it.